Bent's Fort

[RangerRick]

On my return home from the AZ/NM borders I took a little detour to Bent's Fort in SE Colorado because #1 I've never been and have always wanted to visit and #2 they were having their annual reenactor's weekend and I just couldn't pass it up because of a few hundred miles.

The adobe fort has a rich history being built in 1829 on the north side of the Arkansas River, just opposite Mexico at the time. *The Bent brothers and a Frenchie all from St. Louis built the fort to conduct trade (mostly barter) between St. Louis, Santa Fe, Indians, fur trappers/mountain men and travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. *Kit Carson was one frequent visitor to the fort and while visiting I had the opportunity to meet his great great great great grandson reenactor - cool.

The 50+ men and women reenactors exhibited many skills and were a wealth of knowledge and experience. *One interesting point I noted was that the fort timbers were debarked in all areas except in the formal dinning room. *All timber there was hand hewn and squared and the room even had a small chandelier. *Of course all meals weren't formal but on occasion of esteemed guest formal meals of a sorts were served. *Just outside of the dinning room window was a cage that held song birds to enhance formal meals. *I questioned the ranger about this and and he indicated that even in this rough and tumble environment they felt the need to maintain some degree of their culture - a reminder of their humanity in a difficult environment. *

If you have an interest and ever get the opportunity I highly recommend a visit as free range to every nook and cranny is aforded.

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[Mac_Muz]

I have never been there myself, but you just got a lesson on what I am about. There is a whiskey attributed to the place. Did you happen onto any?

If you go back there and find that stuff, just don't lite nuthin!

[RangerRick]

Read several books about the fort and didn't note anything reguarding a local sippin sauce, pray tell.

Rick

[Mac_Muz]

I am not sure other than having "sampled the stuff" Holy YingWazoo is that stuff ragged going down.

However it has remained a visable and almost wet item at primitive events, for so long as I can remember.

The way it works is some other Skinner has some, and with a big grin asks if you would like a wee tug.

if you say sure, he hands over the jug. Real quick as if there were a genie in the bottle you tear off the cork, upend the jug, and take on what ballast your system can accomadate, and instantly recork that jug, before that swallow hits bottom.

Waiting to do so isn't a good option, as that snake oil ragged whiskey is a hard way to go. I love the stuff, but have no idea where to get it.

Next time you get there see what they say... I will ask around, as there are times I think it might "temper" you . LOL Mac

[bookwormom]

I love the ceiling in that dining room. What are the floors made of?

[RangerRick]

The all the flooring I saw was timber covered with reeds then grass/sod turned upside-down and adobied which gave it an amount of water proofing/shedding ability and made for a firm surface. *The Indian photo shows the underside of the casemates along the palisade while the overview photo shows that the casemates and ramparts had a layer of gravel on the top of this which I'm sure helped with drainage.

Adobe is very labor intensive which ment repair/maintenance was accomplished during the Spring. *Very interesting stop which afforded me the opportunity to glean some good info.

This photo shows the dinning room from a different direction and gives a better view of the floor.

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This one shows a typical room on the upper level in need of maintanience along with one showing a unique style portable bed I thought I might make for guest at the lake cabin.

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Rick